Clinical application of enzyme immunoassay for the detection of hepatitis C virus core antigen

Objective To evaluate the sensitivity of the enzyme immunoassay(EIA)kits of Hunan Jynda Gene Co.Ltd in detecting hepatitis C virus core antigen.Methods Blood samples from 2808 blood donors,1909 outpatients,and 244 anti-HCV(+)cases were randomly selected and hepatitis C virus core antigen(HCV-cAg)was detected with EIA kit.Samples found out to be HCV-cAg(+)were further tested for HCV-RNA and anti-HCV antibody.Results In 2808 blood donors,one case(0.04%)with both HCV-cAg(+)and HCV-RNA(+)was found.In 1099 outpatients,8 cases(0.73%)of HCV-cAg(+)was detected,and 5 of them were anti-HCV(+).Of these 8 HCV-cAg(+)cases,6 were tested for HCV-RNA and 5 were found positive.The other 2 cases of HCV-cAg(+)were not tested for HCV-RAN because of inadequate specimen.Of the 244 anti-HCV(+)cases,HCV-cAg(+)was found in 52,and HCV-RNA(+)in 49.The other 192 HCV-cAg(-)were also tested for HCV-RNA,and 68 of them were HCV-RNA(+).Conclusion EIA kit for the detection of HCV-cAg in human serum or plasma can be used clinically in prevention of the HCV transmission.